Abu Bakr as-Siddiq: the loyalty of a Companion

Who was Abu Bakr?

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), whose name was Abdullah ibn Uthman, belonged to the tribe of Quraysh, in Mecca. A respected merchant and a friend of the Prophet ﷺ long before the revelation, he was one of the very first to believe in his message. He is the father of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the first caliph of Islam, and he rests in Medina, beside the Prophet ﷺ.

This article traces his life from the Qur’an and authentic hadiths only. Many stories circulate about him: we point out those whose authenticity is not established.

“He speaks the truth”: the origin of a nickname

His nickname, الصِّدِّيق (as-Siddiq), designates one whose sincerity is total, who confirms the truth without hesitation. The Prophet ﷺ himself explained it, on a day when Abu Bakr had just quarreled with Umar:

This hadith says a great deal in few words. At a time when almost everyone accused the Prophet ﷺ of lying, Abu Bakr believed and said so. He did not stop at words: he supported him with his person and his wealth. We also see a man capable of losing his temper, regretting it, asking forgiveness, and then coming to the defense of the one he had quarreled with. The Prophet ﷺ also called him “siddiq” in front of other Companions, on Mount Uhud (reported by al-Bukhari).

The Companion of the hijra

In 622, the persecuted Muslims of Mecca emigrated to Medina: this is the الْهِجْرَة (hijra). According to the long account of Aisha reported by al-Bukhari, Abu Bakr had kept two mounts ready for months, hoping to accompany the Prophet ﷺ. When permission to leave arrived, he asked: “Companionship, O Messenger of Allah?” and received this answer: “Yes, companionship.” The Prophet ﷺ accepted one of the mounts, but insisted on paying for it.

The whole family took part. His daughter Asma tore her waistband in two to tie the bag of provisions, which earned her the nickname “she of the waistband.” His son Abdullah spent the night with them and brought them news from Mecca. His freed slave Amir ibn Fuhayra grazed sheep near the cave to bring them milk. They even hired a guide who was not a Muslim, but whom they trusted.

The Qur’an immortalized the tensest moment, when the two men hid for three nights in the cave of Thawr:

The “second of the two” is Abu Bakr. He related that, looking up, he could see the feet of their pursuers and said: “If one of them looked down at his feet, he would see us!” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “What do you think, Abu Bakr, of two whose third is Allah?” (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim). The commentators stress that his fear was first of all for the Prophet ﷺ.

A unique and generous friend

“If I were to take an intimate friend…”

No Companion was as close to the Prophet ﷺ. He expressed it in a unique phrase:

The word خَلِيل (khalil) designates the intimate friend, the one whose love fills the heart so completely that no room is left for anyone else. The Prophet ﷺ reserved this degree of attachment for Allah alone, but he immediately specifies Abu Bakr’s place: “my brother and my companion.” When Amr ibn al-As asked him which person he loved most, he answered: “Aisha,” and then, among men: “her father” (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Generosity without calculation

Abu Bakr was a well-off merchant, and he put his fortune at the service of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said that no one had supported him as much as Abu Bakr, by his companionship and by his wealth (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim). Among other things, he freed believers who were enslaved and ill-treated because of their faith, such as Bilal; Umar used to say: “Abu Bakr is our master, and he freed our master,” speaking of Bilal (reported by al-Bukhari).

His generosity nevertheless went through a test. Mistah, a poor relative whom he supported, had taken part in the slander launched against Aisha. Hurt, Abu Bakr swore to give him nothing more. Allah then revealed this verse:

Abu Bakr answered: “Yes, by Allah, I love that Allah forgive me!” and he resumed his help to Mistah (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim). Giving to someone who has hurt us is perhaps one of the highest forms of generosity.

Humble and firm in trial

Despite his rank, Abu Bakr remained anxious about himself. When the Prophet ﷺ warned against anyone who lets his garment trail out of pride, Abu Bakr worried, because one side of his garment slipped down if he was not careful; the Prophet ﷺ reassured him: “You are not among those who do it out of pride” (reported by al-Bukhari). During his last illness, the Prophet ﷺ appointed him to lead the prayer; Aisha pointed out that her father was a sensitive man who wept when reciting the Qur’an (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

The Prophet ﷺ reminded us that humility raises the one who lives it:

His humility was not weakness. On the day the Prophet ﷺ died, the Companions were shattered, and some refused to believe it. Abu Bakr came in, kissed the face of the Prophet ﷺ, then went out and said: “Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad has died; whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and does not die.” Then he recited this verse (reported by al-Bukhari):

Ibn Abbas reports that it was as if the people had not known that this verse had been revealed until Abu Bakr recited it; they all began to repeat it.

What his life teaches us today

• Loyalty: staying beside those we love in difficult moments, not only when everything is going well.
• Sincerity: believing and acting, without waiting for everyone to agree.
• Generosity: sharing what we have, even with someone who has let us down.
• Humility: admitting our faults, asking forgiveness, defending even the one with whom we have quarreled.
• Clear-sightedness in trial: reminding people, when everything wavers, that Allah alone is eternal.

To go further

• Discover the life of the Prophet ﷺ (sira).
• Read the verse of the cave: Surat at-Tawba, verse 40.
• Tawakkul, trust in Allah.
• Another story of forgiveness: Yusuf (peace be upon him), three lessons for today.